Gilberton

Trinity Academy in the Father Walter J. Ciszek Education Center, 233 W. Cherry St., Shenandoah, the sole Catholic pre-kindergarten-through-eighth-grade school for all of northern Schuylkill County, is holding open enrollment for students, extending through the beginning of the 2020-21 school year. Those interested in enrolling a child should be aware of the following age requirements: For pre-kindergarten, age 4 by Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020. The age for kindergarten is 5 and for first grade, 6. For more information, call Kay Zagroski at 570-462-3927 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Trinity Academy, according to bulletin announcements, offers a high quality education with a “Christ-centered atmosphere” that “assists parents in helping their children to live a life of discipleship centered in the Gospel of Jesus and the teachings of the Catholic Church, instill morals, and promote academic excellence.”

Girardville

The Girardville Ambulance Service membership campaign is underway. Anyone in the ambulance service area who did not receive a subscription paper and would like one should call 570-205-6205.

Mahanoy City

The West End Fire and Rescue Company, 700 W. Mahanoy Ave., will have an unbaked Friday pizza sale from noon to 6 p.m. today, May 1, according to a release from Ann Gavala. The cost is $13 for a whole cheese pizza and $7 for a half; $18 for a whole garbage pizza and $10 for a half. Advance orders are suggested; local delivery will be available. To order or for more information, call 570-773-0870 of 570-778-6118.

Nuremberg

The Nuremberg-Weston Volunteer Fire Company will hold its monthly breakfast on Sunday, May 3, as a takeout-only event from 8 to 11 a.m. at the firehall, 459 Hazle St., Weston. The menu includes choice of eggs and home fries, pancakes or French toast, ham or sausage. The cost is $7 for a large platter and $6 for a small platter. Curbside pickup only will be done at 15-minute intervals. To order in advance, message the fire company on Facebook or call Rhonda at 570-384-3913. To place an order the day of the breakfast, call 570-384-3518.

Schuylkill Haven

Liberty Fire Company, Columbia and St. James streets, will have a chicken pot pie meal beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2, drive-through only, with only quarts of pot pie available. There will be free delivery in the Schuylkill Haven area. To order, for delivery or more information, call 570-385-3341.

The unknowns of COVID-19 keep Ann Marie Lewis up at night, too.

“There’s nights I can’t sleep,” the clinical psychologist said. “But usually mine’s stress-induced.”

For a host of reasons, the pandemic has disrupted daily life, including the parts we’re not usually conscious for, like the middle of the night.

Some early research suggests that, especially among health workers, insomnia runs rampant. A study on more than 1,500 frontline medical workers in China found one-third of them experienced symptoms of insomnia.

“Typically, stress-related insomnia is transient and persists for only a few days,” Dr. Bin Zhang, a professor at Southern Medical University in Guangzhou, China, said in a news release. He’s a co-author of the paper, which was published earlier this month in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry.

“But if the COVID-19 outbreak continues, the insomnia may gradually become chronic insomnia in the clinical setting,” he said.

You don’t have to be on the front line to feel it.

Anyone whose life has been discombobulated for any number of reasons — financial stress, frightening daily headlines or even just staying home all day — might watch hour after restless hour tick by.

The National Sleep Foundation offers a tool box bursting with ideas for anyone struggling to catch the recommended number of Z’s.

Lewis has her own repertoire for reluctant night owls.

“Breathing is the No. 1 thing to do for relaxation because it’s an automatic signal to the brain to relax,” she said. “A lot of people don’t know that.”

Some more personalized tools for sleep include white noise, soft music, meditation or light stretching before bed.

Smartphone apps for all of those activities, including Calm and Headspace, offer guided meditation lessons and gentle ambient sounds and stories to lull you off to sleep.

Contact the writer:

570-348-9131;

joconnell@timesshamrock.com;

@jon_oc on Twitter

Tips from the National Sleep
Foundation on beating insomnia

FOLLOW A SCHEDULE

Wake up and go to bed at the same time each day. At bedtime, stick to a routine like brushing your teeth and putting on pajamas. That signals to your body that it’s time for sleep. Turn off the lights, the TV and the cellphone.

NATURAL LIGHT

Sunlight helps our bodies regulate sleep. Getting outside, even on cloudy days, helps that process. Open window blinds during the day. An hour before bedtime, shut off electronic devices, which cast sleep-disrupting blue light. Some devices have settings that filter out blue light.

PRACTICE RELAXATION

Use deep, slow breathing to get calm before bed. Yoga and meditation help. Calming music can help, too. News about the pandemic can raise anxiety levels, so turn down the noise. This might be tricky, given the constant barrage of information. Try setting aside time every day to get caught up. Avoid endless scrolling through social media. Stay connected with family and friends and schedule regular video or telephone calls.

KEEP WORK OUT OF IT

Working from home shouldn’t be working from bed, the Sleep Foundation says. It might be tempting to snuggle under the covers at the start of the work day, but resist the urge. Reserve the bed for sleep and sex. Make your bed an inviting place for sleep by changing the sheets to make it feel clean and fresh.

Schuylkill County is still well above the state’s benchmark for new coronavirus cases to be considered for easing of business restrictions and social distancing mandates.

In the 14-day period from April 17 to Thursday, the county case number rose by 124, from 244 to 368. That calculates to 87.9 cases per 100,000 population, well above the 50 per 100,000 benchmark established by the state Department of Health.

In fact, the county had the highest number of new cases in one day, 25, on Thursday, according to DOH. A sixth death was also reported.

The county rate is only slightly improved over the 14-day total ending last Saturday, when it was 96.4. During that period, the county added 136 new cases.

To meet the 50 per 100,000 benchmark based on its 141,359 population, Schuylkill County needs to reduce its new case total over 14 days to about 70, or five per day.

District, neighbor comparison

Even at nearly double the benchmark rate of new cases, Schuylkill County is in the best shape among the other seven counties in the Southeast district with which it may be considered for loosening state restrictions.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported the following benchmark status for the other counties from Wednesday’s DOH numbers: Chester, 123; Lancaster, 147; Montgomery, 205; Bucks, 228; Delaware, 306; Berks, 309; and Philadelphia, 402.

The DOH has cautioned that after a region meets the per-capita 50 or less cases benchmark, it will still consider other data as part of the reopening decision, including if the region has enough kits to test people with symptoms, can robustly investigate and perform extensive contact tracing and can identify and evaluate the preparedness of high-risk settings such as nursing homes and prisons.

Who’s going yellow?

Today the Wolf Administration is expected to announce its study of conditions in the North-Central and Northwest health regions with a target of moving from red to yellow on May 8.

As regions or counties move into the yellow phase, some restrictions on work and social interaction will ease while others, such as closures of schools, gyms and other indoor recreation centers, as well as limitations around large gatherings, will remain in place.

Nursing homes

The number of residents in nursing homes and personal care homes with COVID-19 jumped to 16 in Schuylkill County as of Thursday, a likely indication of more robust reporting efforts involving such facilities. Those 16 cases are in four facilities, DOH reports. There remains just one employee affected countywide in such facilities, according to DOH numbers.

Numbers by zip code

Pottsville still has the highest number of cases in the county as measured by zip code, according to Thursday’s DOH numbers. A breakdown shows positive/negative tests:

Pottsville (17901): 43/323

Shenandoah (17976): 35/98

McAdoo (18237): 32/57

Tamaqua (18252): 30/178

Schuylkill Haven (17972): 21/161

Auburn (17922): 17/54

Mahanoy City (17948):14/73

Pine Grove (17963): 13/89

Ringtown (17967): 12/21

Frackville (17931): 10/78

Orwigsburg (17961): 9/80

New Ringgold (17960): 8/50

Zion Grove (17985): 7/12

Minersville (17954): 6/82

Coaldale (18218): 6/48

Barnesville (18214): 5/21

Zip code communities with 1 to 4 cases, which are not further specified by DOH out of privacy concerns, include Sheppton, Brockton, New Philadelphia, Andreas, Port Carbon, Saint Clair, New Cumbola, Cressona, Seltzer, Tremont, Girardville, Ashland, Valley View, Sacramento, Hegins, Tower City, Pitman and Klingerstown. Those showing zero cases as of Thursday were Branchdale, Gilberton, Quakake and Spring Glen.

Prisons

There remain no positive cases of COVID-19 at the two state prisons in Schuylkill County.

As of Wednesday, the state Department of Corrections reports 17 employees and two inmates have tested negative at SCI/Frackville.

At SCI/Mahanoy, eight employees and nine inmates have tested negative, DOC reports.

At nearby SCI/Coal Township, there have been six and one negative tests among employees and inmates, respectively.

Hospital equipment

The DOH Hospital Preparedness Dashboard as of Thursday showed Schuylkill County had three available ICU beds out of 26. The number of available ICU beds is known to fluctuate and hospital officials have said previously they expect no problems in the county with availability of ICU beds.

The county had 10 ventilators available and three in use, all for non-COVID-19 patients, as of Thursday, the dashboard shows.

Construction projects around Schuylkill County, many overseen by PennDOT, are expected to resume work today after coronavirus put them on hold.

Roof work on the county courthouse and the building of a parking garage in the city are among the jobs expected to be back underway, if the weather cooperates.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced April 20 that construction projects could resume May 8, revising it to May 1 several days later. Work was ordered halted when the governor ordered non-essential businesses in the state, which includes construction, closed in March. It was changed later that month to allow emergency repairs. Construction was also allowed if the work supported a life-sustaining business or activity, or if an exemption was granted to perform or support life-sustaining activities.

Weather may have an effect on starting construction. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch advisory until 2 p.m. for Schuylkill, Adams, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Montour, Northern Lycoming, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, Southern Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga, Union and York counties. Friday’s weather forecast calls for a chance of rain before noon, then a chance of rain and thunderstorms between noon and 1 p.m., with rain and a thunderstorm likely after 1 p.m.

State highways

PennDOT has five projects in the county that will resume today , PennDOT District 5 spokesman Ron Young said Wednesday. They are:

• Concrete deck repairs, placing a latex-modified concrete bridge deck overlay, deck joint replacements, cleaning bridge drainage systems and concrete support structure repairs on the bridge spanning Route 901 over the Mahanoy Creek in Barry and Butler townships.

• Replacing the Beckville Road bridge over the West Branch of the Schuylkill River in North Manheim Township

• Replacing the bridge spanning Route 924 over the Mahanoy Creek, Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad tracks and Main Street in Gilberton and West Mahanoy Township

• Milling and paving a portion of I-81 in Delano, East Union, Kline, Mahanoy and Ryan townships between Exit 131 to Route 54 in Mahanoy Township and Exit 138 to Route 309 in Kline Township.

Also, Young said work reconstructing a stretch of Route 309 in McAdoo and Kline Township started Tuesday, adding that each project contractor will determine when they will resume operations. PennDOT paused construction projects statewide in mid-March to mitigate the spread of the virus. Only emergency work, such as landslide repairs, or critical bridge, tunnel and drainage repairs, and work needed to eliminate roadway restrictions, were allowed.

Young said the road projects will start with a COVID-19 safety plan set up, and staff and equipment mobilized. Starting construction is dependant on the project location, ability to implement social distancing and its meeting protocols for dealing with the disease, he added.

“It is a systematic process, so even if a project has resumed, you may not immediately see equipment or major work,” Young said.

He said work on the projects will be done in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state Department of Health, as well as a project-specific COVID-19 safety plan. It will include protocols on social distancing, using face coverings, cleaning protocols, entry management to job sites and training.

Parking garage

Construction of the $6.9 million parking garage on Mahantongo and South Second streets in Pottsville is also expected to start today , work Parking Authority Executive Director Ian Lipton said he had hoped to get a waiver for the job, but it didn’t come.

He said the waiver was requested by the Parking Authority early last month because not having a covered parking lot for residents, particularly seniors, in time for the winter months put their health and safety at risk.

Lipton said the governor’s stay-at-home order had slowed the project down, adding he hopes it will still be done before winter.

“We’re excited to be able to begin,” he said. “We hope it won’t be delayed significantly.”

Construction on the garage started early last month and is expected to take a year to complete, Project Engineer John Levkulic previously said.

Once completed, it will have 221 parking spaces — 214 regular size, four handicapped spaces and three that are van accessible. Hourly and monthly parking will be available, and the city’s ParkMobile app can be used to pay for parking at the facility. It will replace a garage closed in 2016 and demolished in 2018 due to “deteriorated structural reinforcing.”

CPS Construction Inc., Cheswick, is the contractor for the project, which is being funded by a $5 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and $2.8 million pledged by Richard L. “Dick” Yuengling Jr. of D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc.

Guidance issued

On Wednesday, the governor’s office released mandatory guidance for construction to begin. Among the rules, those working must adhere to coronavirus safety measures outlined by Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine: everyone on site must wear a face mask or covering unless unable due to health or safety reasons, and businesses must establish protocols when they discover they have been exposed to a person with coronavirus.

Moreover, sites must maintain social distancing, provide hand washing and sanitizing stations for workers, develop cleaning and sanitizing protocols and have a “pandemic safety officer” for each site and for each contractor on larger projects.

Only four people are allowed on a residential construction project site at any time, with the number allowed to work in enclosed areas of non-residential or commercial projects varying by site, according to the guidance. Commercial construction firms are strongly advised to consider establishing a written safety plan for each location.

Gregory Quandel, president and CEO of Quandel Construction Group, which has offices in Pottsville and Minersville, said last week that his company developed a COVID-19 safety and response plan. He said since most of the company’s work is in health care facilities, it has been deemed essential to complete during the pandemic.

Safety stand-downs, or presentations educating employees and suppliers on how to prevent the virus from spreading, are done every morning, he said. Employees’ temperatures are also taken.

Quandel said measures have been taken to ensure sites are clean, including additional handwashing stations, having employees work in shifts on larger projects and maintaining social distancing. A plan was being developed last week for a specific person to be a social distancing officer. That person, he added, will ensure “we are following CDC and our internal guidelines” on dealing with the virus.

“I believe our organization has taken a proactive approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping our number one core value of safety first, last always,” Quandel said.

Courthouse

Work on the reroofing of the county courthouse also should resume shortly, County Administrator Gary R. Bender said Wednesday.

“They’re due to start here next week,” Bender said of J.M. Young, Belleville, the contractor in charge of putting a new roof on the building.

Bender said J.M. Young had been scheduled to resume work on the courthouse roof in March but the coronavirus pandemic ended that possibility. He said work, which did not continue during the winter, is still to be finished in June.

“We didn’t extend that for them,” Bender said. “It depends on the weather. We’re going to push them.”

(Staff Writer Peter E. Bortner contributed to this story)

Contact the writer: clee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6028; @Cleespot on Twitter

Diakon Community Services temporarily closed its five senior community centers six weeks ago, but the organization continues to reach out to the elderly.

In fact, through the Meals on Wheels program it operates, it is serving five meals a week to almost 500 people instead of what have been 300 to 325.

And, in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization is looking toward reopening, as represented by the patriotic Christmas tree at the Mahanoy City Senior Community Center. The tree, adorned with red, white and blue decorations, including American flags, awaits the day when senior citizens walk through the automatic doors and return to normalcy.

More volunteers

Diakon, which closed its centers March 16, has been working with many volunteers to have meals delivered and keep in contact with senior citizens several times a week by telephone.

The senior community centers in Mahanoy City, Pottsville, Schuylkill Haven, Shenandoah and Tremont are important weekday meeting places for senior to chat with friends and make new ones, have a meal, play cards, read the newspaper and simply socialize — the latter being the most important role, Diakon said.

“The Many Hands, One Heart of Diakon” motto has come to represent the additional volunteers who have come forward, said Debbie Herb, community services coordinator for center services.

“We’ve provided them with any equipment, such as gloves and masks, that they’ve needed. They’re our army and they go out and serve so many,” he said.

Worried, lonely

As to the increased meals being served, “We are blessed to be able to do that,” Herb said. “People call here every day.”

Many calls are from grown children who are worried about their parents and ask to have them temporarily placed on the meals deliveries. Due to the increase, deliveries are being made only Monday and Wednesday, and no longer on Fridays. However, each person continues to receive five meals per week — two on Mondays and three on Wednesdays.

Mickey John is the new volunteer coordinator, having started in the position in early April and taking over for Dana Oravitz, who is now the APPRISE Program coordinator. Oravitz continues to assist John in the new role.

“I’ve noticed doing phone calls (through the Reach Out initiative) that our elderly residents are lonely,” John said. “They can’t go out. They know they can’t go out. A lot of them don’t understand what’s going on beyond their doors ... It means a great deal to them just to know that someone is out there wants to talk to them.”

“For our center folks, just coming in to the center to read the paper and have a coffee and chat with somebody else, even if it was just for a half an hour, is very important,” Herb added.

Oravitz said the program, before and now during the pandemic, represents a connection to neighbors and community.

“Through this whole thing, the need for a strong community has been a strong mission statement, especially for me,” she said. “It shows how vital the community really is.”

Herb said donations are welcome to assist in Diakon’s senior activities.

Donations can made online at www.diakon.org/giving/online-donation/

Contact the writer: jusalis@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023

POTTSVILLE — A city man suffered severe burns and his wife was also injured when fire broke out in their double-wide mobile home Thursday night.

Pottsville Fire Chief James Misstishin said crews were dispatched to 200 Skidmore St. at 9:11 p.m. for a report of a structure fire with entrapment.

Misstishin said Donald and Lauann Tropp were rescued through the front door by their son, who lives nearby.

The couple were taken by Pottsville police officers to a waiting Schuylkill EMS ambulance. From there, Donald Tropp was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, by ambulance because air medical helicopters were unable to fly due to weather conditions, the chief said. He was admitted in critical condition.

His wife was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill E. Norwegian St., Pottsville, where she was treated and later released.

Electrical, accidental

Misstishin said firefighters found heavy fire to the back of the structure when they arrived but managed to quickly contain and extinguish the flames.

Misstishin, along with state police fire marshal Trooper John Burns of the Frackville station, and Pottsville police conducted an investigation and determined the fire was accidental and electrical in nature. It originated in the back part of the home, they said.

All Pottsville fire departments responded along with the Schuylkill Haven Fire Department Rapid Intervention Team, city police and fire police and Schuylkill EMS.

Contact the writer: fandruscavage@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6013

Frackville

Schuylkill Community Action has taken the Frackville Area Food Pantry on as its 20th site serving the county, according to a release from SCA’s Jason Schally. The Frackville Area Food Pantry is located at Zion Lutheran Church, 48 S. Nice St. It serves Frackville Borough as well as the Englewood section of Butler Township and the nearby sections of West Mahanoy Township. Its services are from 9 to 10 a.m. the third Thursday of the month. For more information, email Schally at jschally@schuylkillcommunityaction.com.

Frackville

The Friendship Fire Company, Englewood, will have an unbaked cheese pizza sale from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 9. The cost is $10 per pie and pickups will be drive-thru only. To order in advance, call Sandy at 570-874-3116, or message the firehouse’s Facebook page.

Girardville

The Girardville Ambulance Service membership campaign is underway. Anyone in the ambulance service area who did not receive a subscription paper and would like one should call 570-205-6205.

Tamaqua

Tamaqua Transfer will collect yard waste on Saturday, May 9. All items must be at the curb the night before; all branches must be tied or bundled no bigger than four feet long. Leaves and other yard waste must be in a can or biodegradable bag. Plastic bags are not allowed.

William Penn

Rich Stevens of the William Penn Fire Company, Mount Olive Boulevard (Route 54 just west of Shenandoah), said in a release that local volunteer fire companies “need your help; we will get you trained.” The companies need junior firefighters ages 14 through 17 and firefighters 18 and older. He also said support personnel, such as fire police and auxiliary members, also are needed. Stevens urged potential volunteers to “please contact your local fire company today.” To reach Stevens, email wmpennfire@gmail.com.

BROCKTON — A Texas man was killed when the tractor-trailer he was driving crashed Friday on Brockton Mountain Road in Schuylkill Township.

Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner Andrew Szczyglak, Shenandoah, identified the man as Eric D. Dockery, 44, of 1102 Terranova Lane, Houston.

State police at Frackville said Dockery was traveling down a steep incline on Brockton Mountain Road, about a mile north of Brockton, when he lost control of his truck on a sharp right curve.

The tractor-trailer loaded with ice pops crossed over the oncoming lane and rolled over onto its driver’s side before hitting several trees and coming to a stop.

Dockery was ejected from the cab of the truck and was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:13 p.m. by Szczyglak.

Schuylkill County Coroner Dr. David J. Moylan III said a virtual autopsy will be performed on Dockery at 11 a.m. today at Simon Kramer Cancer Institute, New Philadelphia, to determine the cause of death.

The crash shut down Brockton Mountain Road for several hours while towing crews worked to remove the truck, trailer and ice pops. State police investigated the crash.

Contact the writer: fandruscavage@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6013

Jogging woman bit by loose dog

PINE GROVE — A 28-year-old Pine Grove woman suffered minor injuries when she was bit by a dog around 6:20 p.m. April 19.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said the woman was jogging along Long Stretch Road when a dog ran out of a yard and bit her on the leg.

$3K of copper pipe stolen from trailer

ORWIGSBURG — A burglary that happened around 10 a.m. April 20 at 1206 Agricultural Center Drive in North Manheim Township is being investigated by state police at Schuylkill Haven.

Police said someone cut the lock on a work trailer and stole about $3,000 worth of copper piping owned by AP Merkel Inc., Fleetwood.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 570-754-4600.

Man charged with burglarizing site

POTTSVILLE — State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a burglary that happened at the Gordon Nagle Trail and Red Horse Road in North Manheim Township around 4:30 p.m. April 21.

Police said James Reedy, 41, of Lykens, was seen by security cameras inside a construction site of L&K Construction, Pottsville.

Reedy was taken into custody by Pottsville police while trying to flee the area, police said.

Police said the appropriate charges will be filed against Reedy with Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg.

$5K electric bill points to theft

TOWER CITY — State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a theft by deception that occurred between Nov. 16 and April 20 in Porter Township.

Police said James Malone, 65, of Tower City, reported he received a bill from PPL in the amount of $5,373.61 for another home in Tower City.

Malone reported believing that his stepdaughter used his name to open the account, police said.

Man arrested for alleged trespass

KLINGERSTOWN — A Klingerstown man was arrested by state police at Schuylkill Haven and charged with trespassing after an incident at 67 Main St. in Upper Mahantongo Township around 2:15 p.m. April 23.

Police said Gregory Reed, 56, trespassed onto property owned by Gregory Kembel, 56, also of Klingerstown.

Charges against Reed were filed with Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi, Tremont, police said.

Man not injured in 1-vehicle crash

LLEWELLYN — A Pottsville man escaped injury when the 2019 Chevrolet Impala he was driving crashed at Bunting Street and South West Lawn Road in Branch Township around 11:55 p.m. April 22.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Bailey Warunek, 20, was driving east on South West Lawn Road, approaching the intersection at an unsafe speed when he failed to stop while trying to make a left turn onto Bunting Street.

The man lost control, went off the road and struck a dirt embankment, police said.

As a result of the crash, police said Warunek will be cited for a stop sign violation.

Man allegedly damaged door

PINE GROVE — A Pine Grove man was charged by state police at Schuylkill Haven with criminal mischief after an incident at 33 Summit Drive in Pine Grove Township around 3:40 p.m. April 20.

Police said Zachary Fidler, 34, became involved in an argument with several members of his family and damaged the front door of the home of Matthew Fidler, 28, at 141 Chapel Drive.

Zachary Fidler was taken into custody on an active arrest warrant and committed to Schuylkill County Prison, police said.

Medication stolen from parked truck

VALLEY VIEW — The theft of medication from a vehicle at 1124 Walnut St. in Hegins Township on April 22 or 23 is being investigated by state police at Schuylkill Haven.

Police said Monica Hand reported one bottle containing about 40 Xanax pills was stolen from her unlocked 2015 Chevrolet Silverado while it was parked in the driveway of her home.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 570-754-4600.

Man not injured in rollover crash

PITMAN — A Hegins man escaped injury when the 2004 Subaru Imprezza he was driving crashed on Route 125 in Eldred Township around 7 p.m. Thursday.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Mitchell Masser, 26, was driving north attempting to negotiate a curve when he crossed the southbound lane, went off the road and hit an embankment, causing the car to roll onto its roof.

Police said Masser was not at the scene when they arrived and that the investigation is continuing.

Women allegedly stole from Walmart

ELIZABETHVILLE — Two women were arrested by state police at Lykens after separate incidents at the Walmart store in Washington Township, Dauphin County, earlier this year.

Police said they received a delayed report of Kelly Griffin, 34, of Sacramento, committing four thefts at the business between Jan. 9 and Feb. 25. The total of the grocery and non-grocery items taken was $63.26, police said.

Police said they also charged Ashley Franklin, 31, of Harrisburg, for stealing items valued at $220.96 on Jan. 30.

Charges are pending against both women, police said.

POTTSVILLE — The city parking authority expects revenue to decrease because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, enforcement of paid parking is set to resume later this month.

Parking Authority Executive Director Ian Lipton said during Friday’s teleconference meeting that he estimates a 17% decrease in revenue from meters and the city’s ParkMobile app from March 19, when Gov. Tom Wolf ordered non-life-sustaining businesses closed, to May 18.

The authority ended enforcement of all parking lots and on-street parking March 20. Lipton said Friday that enforcement would begin May 18, with officers issuing warnings the week prior.

Pottsville Area Development Corp. Executive Director Savas Logothetides said the authority will have “a better picture” in May of how the outbreak affected revenue for March and April.

He added that expenses were “trimmed greatly,” with reductions in parking enforcement officers’ salaries and in maintenance. Lipton said the four part-time officers have been on furlough for six weeks and will return to work May 11.

He said the authority received revenue from permit parking and the ParkMobile app in March, adding the authority is “still where we need to be” with its operating budget, but there could be issues with paying long-term debt. Logothetides said he would have a better idea of how the 2020 budget is going next month.

“At this time, I don’t have any concerns financially,” he said.

No revenue was received from ParkMobile from March 19 through the end of April, Lipton said, with all revenue from meters collected as of April 20.

He added that he anticipates additional revenue for the next half of the year with the cost of residential permits going from $36 to $50 a year. The parking authority approved the increase in March.

When parking enforcement resumes, Lipton said two officers will alternate two four-hour shifts during the week, one from 8 a.m. to noon and the other noon to 4 p.m., with no enforcement from 4 to 5 p.m., beginning the week of May 18 and for the next four weeks. The change would mean enforcement costs would drop 40%, bringing the enforcement cost to $22,000 for the month, he said.

“Compared to revenue, that’s a pretty significant reduction,” he said.

Lipton said the authority will reinstate its policies of not enforcing parking after 5 p.m. or on weekends.

Contact the writer: clee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6028; @Cleespot on Twitter

Breweries across Pennsylvania, including D.G. Yuengling & Son in Pottsville, face a problem about what to do with stale draft beer in kegs and product nearing its optimal shelf life for taste.

“We are working with our wholesalers and retailer partners across our 22-state footprint to better assess the volume that is at risk of going out of code and the best steps to take moving forward,” Wendy Yuengling, chief administrative officer, said Thursday.

Breweries have been affected by the closure of restaurants, bars and entertainment venues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The brewery is exploring using environmentally accredited decanters to handle out-of-code kegs, Yuengling said. Beer is coded with freshness dates.

Yuengling’s keg vendor is Microstar, which is also responsible for decanting (or removing) beer from out-of-code kegs. Microstar, headquartered in Denver, Colorado, supports the decanting for the brewery and for its wholesalers and retailers.

The brewery contacts Microstar to pick up the kegs and transport them to sites where they have the tools and tanks to remove the old beer and dispose of it in an environmentally accredited method, or the old beer is used for other purposes, such as in hand sanitizer.

The brewery’s recommended shelf life guidelines for keg beer are 60 days from date of packaging, Yuengling said.

“We have more than 190 years of experience selling beer in bars and restaurants. We sell more than 25% of our volume to those outlets in draft, bottles, cans,” she said.

No mass dumping yet

For most packaging breweries, beer sales to restaurants and bars account for about 25 to 30% of their business, according to Chris Lampe, president of the Brewers of Pennsylvania. Lampe also operates Weyerbacher Brewing Company in Easton.

BOP is examining options for breweries with soon-to-expire keg beer. So far, the association has not seen mass dumping of the brew.

“There’s an EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) problem with dumping old beer,” he said. Most wastewater treatment plants require that a company’s effluent be between 6 and 10 pH level. The pH level of beer is acidic at 4.5, he said.

“There is no known human pathogen that lives in beer; it just tastes bad,” Lampe said of out-of-code product.

BOP provides legal guidance for its members with quarterly calls with its legal counsel, provides legislative representation, and education and networking opportunities.

Draft up

“Everybody has seen non-draft beer sales go up among our breweries and that has been an interesting trend in the industry,” Lampe said.

Fred Maier, with Susquehanna Brewing Co. of Pittston, serves as chairman of the BOP legislative committee. Maier said beer consumption hasn’t gone down, it’s the channel of delivery that has changed. The bar and restaurant industry makes up about a third of his brewing company’s business.

Smaller craft breweries may have a larger share of their business in draft, Maier said.

Susquehanna has temporarily switched from packaging its beer into kegs to putting it only into cans and bottles.

“We still have kegs that we’re able to use,” Maier said. Close to 50,000 gallons are in kegs at his warehouse, he said.

Helping hospitality

Despite the challenge, Yuengling is focused on helping the community through monetary donations to relief organizations, as well as with the donation of beer drops at local hospitals throughout Schuylkill County.

“This goes beyond out-of-date draft beer. The shutdown of these restaurants, bars and venues is also dramatically impacting bar and wait staff who have been furloughed or who have lost their jobs,” Yuengling said.

Yuengling has made an initial donation of $100,000 to COVID-19 relief organizations, including the Hospitality Assistance Response Program of Pennsylvania dedicated to helping bar and wait staff affected by COVID-19, as well as the Gary Sinise Foundation and their Emergency COVID-19 Combat Service dedicated to providing first responders with PPE (personal protective equipment).

“As the pandemic evolves, Yuengling will continue to seek ways to support key communities impacted by the pandemic,” Yuengling said.

Additional efforts to support Pennsylvania bar and wait staff will be announced in the coming weeks.

“As America’s Oldest Brewery, we’ve made it through the Great Depression, world wars and Prohibition by working with our partners and by supporting our local communities in the ways we can,” Yuengling added.

Contact the writer: vterwilliger@republicanherald.com

POTTSVILLE — In recent Schuylkill County Court action, a judge found two men guilty of violating protection from abuse orders, while prosecutors withdrew a similar charge against a third man.

Thomas M. Kane, 34, of Minersville, and David A. Legutko, 37, of Port Carbon, are each guilty of indirect criminal contempt, which is contempt committed outside the courtroom, Berks County Senior Judge Stephen B. Lieberman decided.

Lieberman sentenced Kane to serve 11 days in prison and pay costs and a $300 fine. He sentenced Legutko to pay costs and a $300 fine.

Minersville police charged Kane with violating a PFA order against him on Feb. 21 in the borough. State police at Frackville charged Legutko with violating a PFA order against him on Jan. 5.

However, prosecutors withdrew a charge of indirect criminal contempt against Shawn P. McCabe, 42, of Ashland. Frackville police had charged McCabe with violating a PFA order against him on Feb. 18 in the borough.

Contact the writer: pbortner@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6014

United States Marshal Martin J. Pane announced Thursday the arrest of Tomas Morales-Cresente, also known as Danny Rivera, in Ellenville, New York, in a news release.

On April 2, 2009, Morales-Cresente, 45, was convicted of possession of a weapon and conspiracy to distribute cocaine in the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. As a result, he was sentenced to 90 months of incarceration. In February 2012, he was transferred to the prison camp at Federal Correctional Institution/Schuylkill, Minersville. On July 16, 2012, Morales-Cresente fled from the camp and did not return, according to the release

Subsequently, an arrest warrant charging him with escape was issued, and the U.S. Marshals Service began an investigation to apprehend him.

During the more than seven years that followed, deputy marshals pursued leads in Puerto Rico and locations in the northeastern part of United States.

Early in 2020, deputies developed information leading them to believe that Morales-Cresente assumed the false name of Danny Rivera and might be residing in Ellenville, New York.

About 7 a.m. Thursday, deputy marshals from the Middle District of Pennsylvania and the Northern District of New York went to a residence in the 200 block of South Main Street, Ellenville, New York, and arrested Morales-Cresente without incident.

He was removed to the Middle District of Pennsylvania for arraignment. Marshals are continuing their investigation into whether someone will face charges for obstruction of justice and/or harboring for assisting Morales-Cresente while he was a fugitive.

“The closure of the case against Morales-Cresente sends a strong message to other fugitives, especially those who have eluded capture for so long,” Pane said in a news release. “It is vitally important fugitives are caught and held accountable for their actions or in this case to serve their entire sentence.”

The U.S. Marshals Service is the federal government’s primary fugitive investigation agency. In Fiscal Year 2019, deputy marshals arrested more than 90,000 fugitives, accounting for more than 105,000 outstanding warrants.

The Blue Mountain School District has decided to open the high school track to the public.

In an announcement Friday, the board said the decision comes with the state’s decision to loosen some of the restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as opening golf courses.

The rules and hours of operation are as follows: 

• Do not enter grass football field or gather on bleachers.

• Maintain social distancing.

• No large gatherings allowed.

• No team or organized practices or workouts allowed.

• Do not enter if you are feeling ill.

• Adhere to COVID-19 safety guidelines according to government regulations. 

• The track is open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday; noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS — The cafeteria employees in the North Schuylkill School District were thanked on Friday with lunch and a parade for their outstanding work in providing meals for students since schools were closed.

The North Schuylkill cafeteria staff has been preparing breakfasts and lunches as part of its “Grab-N-Go” bagged breakfast and lunch program since March 20. Two breakfasts and two lunches are available for pickup on each Monday and Wednesday, and three breakfasts and three lunches on Friday. Including all distribution days to April 27, the cafeteria employees have had 31,510 meals picked up by almost 500 students since March 20.

In addition to meals picked up at the school, meals are also distributed at three fire houses in the district — Good Will Hose Company in Frackville, Rangers Hose Company in Girardville and Washington Fire Company in Ashland. Pickup time is from 11 a.m. to noon.

The employees spent their usual Friday morning preparing about 2,800 meals (three breakfasts and three lunches) for three days. They were not aware of the plans for a hot lunch from Capriotti’s Catering for themselves, courtesy of the school district, and a parade in the traffic circle near the high school entrance.

Friday was chosen to recognize and thank the employees since it was “School Lunch Hero Day,” which is a national celebration in honor of the hard-working individuals who prepare healthy meals for students every day.

North Schuylkill Superintendent Robert Ackell contacted other school district employees and parents about the day honoring cafeteria workers.

On Friday as the employees were winding down about noon, Ackell walked into the cafeteria and addressed everyone.

“Today is set aside to recognize you as our heroes, but to be honest with you during this whole shutdown since March 13, this group here has been more dedicated than anybody in the whole district,” Ackell said. “There is no doubt that you are special putting out 500 meals per day to our community is above and beyond. I never thought we’d have this response. I am thankful for everything that you have done for us, for our district, for our students over the last six weeks and for the weeks ahead.”

The employees shouted “thank you” and then enjoyed their hot meal. Shortly afterward, they were asked to step outside and line up along the sidewalk while social distancing while not sure what would happen. A siren was heard in the distance, followed by a Butler Township police car leading the parade, that included fire trucks from Friendship Fire Company of Englewood and American Fire Company of Fountain Springs, followed by about 100 private vehicles blowing their horns and waiving to the workers. Many of the vehicles had children in them holding hand-drawn signs with the words “Thank You!”

When the parade ended, one of the workers shouted, “It made my day!”

Cafeteria worker Nicole Wehry, of Lavelle, enjoyed her hot meal after the parade and was appreciative of the tribute.

“We weren’t expecting the parade,” Wehry said. “It was really nice. There are kids out there who need the food we prepare.”

Another employee, Terry Senglar, of Frackville, was also enjoying her meal and the day.

“It was a surprise. I appreciate what they’ve done for us, and we are happy to do what we’re doing for the community and children, because it’s for them,” Senglar said. “They are our main concern. When they come up to grab their bag, they all say ‘thank you,’ and that means a lot. It’s nice to see that we are appreciated.”

“I think it was very beautiful and touching,” employee Deb Houser, of Frackville, said of the parade. “We appreciate it. And the meal was just wonderful. We have a good crew.”

Contact the writer: jusalis@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023

A Plymouth man faces aggravated assault charges alleging he coughed into a police officer’s face while saying, “I have corona,” according to documents filed Friday.

Terrance Robert Schell, 36, is accused of coughing on the officer while he was being arrested at his home at 143 Franklin St. on Thursday afternoon after being found in possession of methamphetamine and stolen property.

According to the charges, police responded to Schell’s home around 2:30 p.m. to a report of a home invasion. Officers arrived to find a commotion coming from an upstairs bedroom.

When Schell opened the door, police observed a bag of meth near the feet of his 15-year-old son, according to the complaint.

A woman outside the home reported she had spent the night with Schell and he had stolen property from her purse, including her phone, financial cards and prescription medication, police said.

Officers took Schell into custody, but he grew enraged as he was placed in a police car and began thrashing around, police said.

During the scuffle, Schell coughed on an offer and said he had “corona” and also kicked another officer in the right thigh, according to the complaint.

A subsequent search of Schell’s home resulted in police recovering the stolen property along with drug paraphernalia, police said.

Officers charged Schell with aggravated assault, child endangerment, theft, simple assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, receiving stolen property, drug possession, possessing drug paraphernalia and harassment.

Magisterial District Judge Joseph A. Halesey arraigned Schell on the charges Friday morning and set bail at $50,000.

Schell was being held at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility with a preliminary hearing set for May 13.

Contact the writer: jhalpin@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2058

Beach vacation rentals are trying to adapt to the needs of prospective tenants during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Duane Watlington, owner of Vacation Rentals Long Beach Island in New Jersey, said there are traditionally no refunds allowed at the Jersey Shore. However, Watlington said he’s crediting his tenants with future bookings.

Watlington said while he and other homeowners understand the plight of their customers, they rely on bookings to make their own mortgage and utility payments. Some who have purchased business insurance, Watlington said, won’t be reimbursed because the government put a ban on rentals so there’s a greater reliance on deposits.

“It’s a really tough situation right now, on both sides,” Watlington said.

Rental booking portal VRBO, which is a marketplace and has its own rental contract with customers, released policy changes that include flexible credits for future bookings if people are canceling outside of their window and a return of the traveler service fee. It has also offered rewards for owners or property managers who give full refunds to guests who have decided to cancel.

Anne Carson, a homeowner in Long Beach Island who rents out during the summer, said she’s been in contact with her tenants — most of whom have been renting with her for years.

Carson said she’s looking at factors like turnover time between tenants and cleaning procedures. She’s even considering measures like putting out linens or asking tenants to bring their own.

Watlington said cleaning services are now offering a deeper cleaning that would include focusing on high-touch surfaces like countertops and door handles. He also said a service is even offering a treatment with sanitizing fog, which kills up to 99.9% of bacteria and is effective for 90 days.

Contact the writer: spanny@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2051

Privately owned Hawk Mountain Sanctuary remains closed, sanctuary officials reminded the public Friday, and will remain so until data shows the spread of COVID-19 has reached safer levels.

“We don’t have an exact date, but the staff meets frequently, coordinates with the board and makes science-based, data-driven decisions. We intend to be part of the solution and support our local and county task force to stop the spread of COVID-19,” said sanctuary President Sean Grace in a news release.

“Large groups are exactly what we don’t want when we’re trying to flatten the curve, and every public health message is clear: recreate close to home,” he said.

That may mean the sanctuary reopens after the shelter-at-home order is lifted.

Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach agrees.

“In the past week, numerous vehicles have parked along Hawk Mountain Road in Albany Township. The occupants have ignored the sanctuary’s clear signage and illegally trespassed onto private property. This is illegal and extremely disrespectful to both Hawk Mountain and their neighbors. Berks County is working with Albany Township, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and law enforcement to determine the best way to help enforce compliance with this closure,” he said in the release.

“Considering the large number of COVID cases in Berks County, traveling to the sanctuary is not good for the people traveling here, and it’s not good for the local community. We’re thrilled to have assistance from the Berks County sheriff’s office, who intend to discourage this open trespassing,” Grace said.

In the meantime, Hawk Mountain has doubled its efforts to provide online content, free virtual programs and fun ideas to enjoy nature in your own backyard. Scientists are submitting manuscripts, analyzing data, working via video with colleagues from around the world and developing new online programs with the education team that connect people, local-to-global, with raptor conservation.

“We’re working harder than ever, and I understand: the weather is nice and everyone wants to get outside. No one wants to reopen more than the staff at Hawk Mountain, but we’re not going to open until we can do it safely and correctly,” he said.

Beach vacation rentals are trying to adapt to the needs of prospective tenants during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Duane Watlington, owner of Vacation Rentals Long Beach Island in New Jersey, said there are traditionally no refunds allowed at the Jersey Shore. However, Watlington said he’s crediting his tenants with future bookings.

Watlington said while he and other homeowners understand the plight of their customers, they rely on bookings to make their own mortgage and utility payments. Some who have purchased business insurance, Watlington said, won’t be reimbursed because the government put a ban on rentals so there’s a greater reliance on deposits.

“It’s a really tough situation right now, on both sides,” Watlington said.

Rental booking portal VRBO, which is a marketplace and has its own rental contract with customers, released policy changes that include flexible credits for future bookings if people are canceling outside of their window and a return of the traveler service fee. It has also offered rewards for owners or property managers who give full refunds to guests who have decided to cancel.

Anne Carson, a homeowner in Long Beach Island who rents out during the summer, said she’s been in contact with her tenants — most of whom have been renting with her for years.

Carson said she’s looking at factors like turnover time between tenants and cleaning procedures. She’s even considering measures like putting out linens or asking tenants to bring their own.

Watlington said cleaning services are now offering a deeper cleaning that would include focusing on high-touch surfaces like countertops and door handles. He also said a service is even offering a treatment with sanitizing fog, which kills up to 99.9% of bacteria and is effective for 90 days.

Watlington said the strongest recommendation he can make is encourage the homeowners and customers to work together.

“The attitude of most people is for the best outcome possible,” Carson said. “With everyone starting to understand the need for social distancing, I think that will become a part of our normal lifestyle. With that understanding, I think we can all enjoy a nice summer at the beach.”

Contact the writer:

spanny@citizensvoice.com;

570-821-2051

Vacation tips

Look for flexible cancellation policies and identify refund policies and time windows during which you can cancel or reschedule bookings.

Consider adding trip insurance, if available, to cover a nonrefundable trip in case of sickness, financial strain or travel restrictions.

Look for something closer to home if you’re planning a possible trip by opting for locations within a day’s driving distance, and consider local travel restrictions and recommendations from the World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/travel-advice.

Look for places that are stand-alone and don’t have any shared amenities or that limit outside access to the house (like cleaning personnel).

Be informed of updated housekeeping standards for your own knowledge and to check to see if the place you’re considering booking has updated its cleaning procedures: https://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4098377.html.

Watch out for any self-quarantine policies from out-of-state visitors, like policies that exist in Alaska, Idaho and Montana.

Wait until 30 days before a trip to make a decision on whether to cancel, as things can change fast during the battle against COVID-19.

As the weather warms and as summer inches closer, people find themselves stuck with a dreaded routine chore: spring cleaning.

But with the coronavirus racing through the world, spring cleaning in 2020 is likely more significant than spring cleaning in years past, cleaning services said.

“This time of the year, it’s so important to do a thorough, deep cleaning of your home,” said Maureen Flowers, co-owner of Maureen & Melissa’s Spic & Span Cleaning in Pike County. “Especially given the fact we’re in this terrible crisis with this virus.”

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people routinely clean and disinfect surfaces.

To remove the grime of winter, however, people often go an extra mile in the spring.

Aarron Nichols, owner of Nichols Cleaning Services, which was formerly McCarthy Cleaning, said the spring months often bring a boost in business.

“This has been an anomaly,” Nichols, of Wyoming County, said. “I’m busy but I should be much busier than I am right now. The residential cleanings are just down. The only thing I’ve been doing residential is pressure washing and cleaning empty houses.”

Flowers said they are busy maintaining empty rental properties, but their residential business likewise is down.

“On a normal year, we’re very busy this time of season,” Flowers said.

Nichols said, “Allowing someone in your home might not be the best idea until everything is safe.”

Those willing to tackle a thorough spring cleaning themselves should keep in mind a few things, such as regularly changing out the water in a mop bucket, being careful with bleach and changing out filters.

“A lot of times people will do the natural thing — clean the bathroom, clean the toilet,” Flowers said. “And of course that goes without saying that’s very important, but then you have to do the other things that people tend to forget.”

Contact the writer:

jkohut@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9144;

@jkohutTT on Twitter

Tips for sprucing up

If you’re mopping the floor, change out the water often, Nichols said. Otherwise you’re just spreading filth rather than removing it. Likewise, Flowers said people trying to clean too large of an area with a disinfectant wipe are doing the same thing.

Be careful with bleach. If you’re using bleach, make sure that the room is well ventilated. Flowers recommended wearing gloves and wearing a mask because the chemical is so caustic. Never mix bleach with ammonia, and if you’re mixing bleach with water to make a disinfecting solution, be sure to properly dilute it. Clorox recommends one part bleach to 30 parts water.

Change out the filters in air conditioners and ventilation ducts. They get filthy, affect people with respiratory issues and are often overlooked, Flowers said.

While you’re washing your windows, also wash your window screens. Flowers recommended washing them with a cleansing solution and then running a hose over them.

Clean the baseboards, clean around lights, and change out the batteries in smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and security alarms, Flowers said.